Vehicle washing machine



Dec. 28, 1937. H. c. DRAKE VEHICLE WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1'7, 1953 10 Fig.

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' lN\ IEN TOR' 27 28 fiarmurf (LE-21A! Patented Dec. 28, 1 937 PATENT OFFICE vnmcm wasnmo momma Harcourt C. Drake, Hempstead, N. Y., assignor .to

Sperry Products, Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 11, 1933, Serial No. 657,230 I 9 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for automatically washing vehicles and has'for its principal object the provision ofa mechanism of this type which shall be more efficient than mechanisms now employed for this purpose.

In the accompanying drawing,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a locomotive in position to be washed and showing the washing mechanism assembled in diagrammatic form.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1 and disclosing the washing standards in operative position in full lines, and in inoperative position in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a front view of a modified form of washing standard embodying the principle of my invention.

Fig. 4 is a view similar toFig. 3 showing still another modification embodying the principle of my invention. I

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail of the swivel mounting and fluid connection of the washing standard.

In automatic washing machines for vehicles, particularly locomotives, now in use, there is provided a pair of vertical standards which are set with a plurality of nozzles substantially throughout their length so as to form two vertical walls of spray on opposite sides of the vehicle. As the vehicle passes through the area enclosed by said vertical walls of spray the washing is performed.

I have found in washing vehicles by the method of causing relative movement between the vehicle and the washing machine and supplying washing fiuid in a single vertical plane that the dirt tends to flow downwardly under the action of the washing sprays. Thus, the grease and mud from the very top of the vehicle flows down toward thecenter while the accumulated matter on the center of the vehicle tends to flow down toward the running gear and the dirt on the running gear flows down to the track. Unless a relatively long time is consumed in washing each vehicle, I have found that by the time the vehicle passes through the spray the accumulated mud and dirt from the upper portions of the vehicle have-not had an opportunity to fiow down completely below the vehicle to the ground, but that some of the dirt from the uppermost portions are to be found on the central parts described structure, I propose to employ in place of the vertical standards heretofore in use and which strike the entire height of the vehiclein a single vertical plane at the same time, standards which are adapted to strike the portions 5 cf the vehicle from top to bottom in succession, the uppermost portionsnbelng washed first. As the top of the vehicle is washed first, the accumulated dirt thereon fiows toward the middle. By this time the sprays that engage the middle portion become effective and will act upon the dirt which has flowed downwardly toward the middle to cause said dirt to flow further down toward the gear, and, finally, the sprays which coact with the running gear become efiective and wash all of the accumulated dirt from the upper portions downwardly to the ground.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that I have provided, for the purpose of carrying out the above described operation, a pair of standards In which extend upwardly above the top of a vehicle II, in this case a locomotive, and are provided with a plurality of nozzles l2 throughout their length. The said standards instead of being in vertical planes are inclined as shown in Fig. l in such direction that the top portion thereof will engage the vehicle approaching it before the remaining parts of the standard engage their respective cooperating portions of the vehicle. In this manner, as the vehicle approaches the standards the top portion is first washed at each point along its length. Thus, at the plane A-A the standard I0 first engages the top portion 13 and the dirt from this top portion flows downwardly toward the middle portion C. As the locomotive progresses the middle sprays become effective and the dirt which has flowed down toward the middle portion C is further carried down toward the running gear D, and finally the lowest portion of the standards be-v comes efiective and further carries the dirt downwardly beneath the vehicle. In this manner, by providing progressive washing from top to bottom instead of simultaneous washing of the vehicle throughout its height I am enabled to obtain a more effective cleaning operation than was heretofore possible.

A similar progressive washing action may be obtained by the modified form of the invention disclosed in Fig. 3. Here, the standard H1 instead of being a continuous inclined tube or pipe is composed of a plurality of vertical sections, l5, I5, I 5", in three successive vertical planes cooperating with the top, middle and lower portions of the vehicle, respectively. Substantially, the

135 which is preferably a centrifugal pump, driven same progressive washing effect is obtained as in the case of the standard III, by steps instead of continuously.

Similarly, by the modification shown in Fig. 4 I obtain progressive washing from top to bottom with the same desirable efiect and results as in the case of the inclined pipe I'll. In this form of the invention, the standard I0" is composed of a plurality of inclined sections l6, IS, IS" arranged in three inclined planes in progression so that the foremost portion .l6 engages the top of the vehicle .first.

It is sometimes desirable to swing the standards away from the tracks or other passage in which the vehicle to be washed operates, when the washing operation is not being performed. I therefore provide in each instance for pivotally mounting the standards l0, l0, I0" in fixed bearings 20. For additional support the standards may be provided with brace members 2| each of which may carry a wheel 22 at its lower end, said wheel operating in a circular track 23 for guiding the movement of .the standard to operating and non-operating positions.

If the washing is to be fully automatic, means must be provided whereby all of the operations oi turning the fluid on and ofi and swinging the standards to operating and non-operating positions must be made automatic. For this purpose I have shown a source of fluid supply 25 which is adapted to supply fluid to the standards through pipes 26, the flow being controlled by valve 31. The swinging of the standards to operating and non-operating positions may be effected by means 01' arack and pinion 21, 28, the rack being formed integrally or otherwise in operative connection with a piston 29 operating within a fluid pressure cylinder 30.

I provide means whereby the swinging of the standards to operating and non-operating positions is performed by the same fluid pressure which is employed for the washing operation. For this purpose, the source of washing fluid 25 may be fed into pipe 26 by means of a pump by a means such as an electric motor M which supplies fluid under pressure to the nozzles in the standards. I employ this fluid under pressure also for operating the standard to its efiective and inefiective positions. For this purpose I may provide a by-pass 35 in pipe 26, the said by-pass 36 supplying fluid into fluid pressure cylinder 30 to operate the piston 29 outwardly. To permit the escape and entry of air from the left end of cylinder 30 it is understood that the usual air vent (not shown) is provided. When the source of fluid pressure is cut oil by means of valve 31 the piston 29 is returned to its opposite end by a spring 38 within the fluid pressure cylinder. The valve 31 which controls the supply of fluid pressure to the cylinder 30 is provided with a drain passage to permit the fluid to drain out when the spring returns the piston 29 to its inner end. This valve 31 is of the well-known bleeder type and need not be further illustrated.

When the valve 31 is open it operates the piston 29 outwardly in cylinder 30 to swing the standards to operating .position. I cause the operation of the standards to operating position to control the valve 24 which in turn controls the supply of washing fluid to the standards. For this purpose I may provide the rack 21 with a frame 40 connected to the valve 24 in such manner as to open and close the valve as the piston 29 moves outwardly and inwardly.

cuit across insulated rails R, R.

It will thus be seen that the operation of valve 31 to open and closed positions controls not only the movements of the standards to operating and non-operating positions but also turns the supply of washing solution to the standards oil? and on. By controlling valve 31 automatically, the entire operation may therefore be made automatic. The automatic control of valve 31 is effected by means such as a solenoid 50 operating on a link 8| connected to the core 52 of the solenoid so that when the solenoid is energized the core is moved outwardly to operate the valve in one direction, and when the solenoid is deenergized the valve is operated in the other direction by means such as a spring 53. The energization and de-energiz'ation oi solenoid 50 may be effected automatically by means of a track circuit in the case of locomotives, the locomotive wheels and axles serving to close the cir- Said circuit includes a source of power such as battery 55 and a relay 56. When the circuit is closed the relay is energized to attract its armature 51 and close the circuit through solenoid 50, the latter circuit including a source of power, such as battery 58. At the same time that the circuit is closed through solenoid 58, a solenoid 60 in parallel with solenoid 56 is energized to close the circuit through the motor M to operate the pump 35.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have herein described the principle and operation of myinvention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other equivalent means within the scope of the claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a washing apparatus for vehicles, a hollow standard having a plurality of nozzles therein through which washing fluid can flow, means whereby said standard is swivelly mounted for actuation to operating and non-operating. positions, means for supplying washing fluid under pressure to said standard and means whereby the flow of said fluid under pressure to said standard moves said standard to one of said positions.

2. In a washing apparatus for vehicles, a hollow standard having a plurality of nozzles therein through which washing fluid can flow, means whereby said standard is swivelly mounted for actuation to operating position adjacent the washing position of the vehicle and .to non-operating position removed therefrom, means for supplying washing fluid under pressure to said standard, means whereby said fluid under pres-,

sure moves said standard to one of said positions, and means for moving said standard to the other of its positions when the source of fluid is cut ofl.

3. In a washing apparatus for vehicles, a hollow standard having a plurality of nozzles therein through which washing fluid can flow, means whereby said standard is swivelly mounted for actuation to operating position adjacent the washing position of the vehicle and to non-operating position removed therefrom, means for supplying washing fluid under pressure to said standard, means for controlling the delivery of said fluid under pressure to said nozzles, means whereby said fluid under pressure moves said standard in its mounting and means whereby said standard moving means controls said delivery controlling means.

4. In a washing apparatus for vehicles, a hollow standard having a plurality of nozzles therein through which washing fluid can flow, means whereby said standard is swivelly mounted for actuation to operating position adjacent the washing position of the vehicle and to non-operating position removed therefrom, means for supplying washing fluid under pressure to said standard, a valve for controlling the delivery of said fluid under pressure to said nozzles, means whereby said fluid under pressure moves said standard in its mounting and means whereby said standard-moving means controls said valve.

5. In a washing apparatus for vehicles, a hollow standard having a plurality of nozzles therein through which washing fluid can flow, means whereby said standard is swivelly mounted for actuation to operating position adjacent the washingposition of the vehicle and to non-operating position removed therefrom, means for supplying washing fluid under pressure to said standard, means whereby said fluid under pressure moves said standard in its mounting, said last named means including a valve and operating mechanism connected to said standard and controlled by said valve, means for controlling the delivery of said fluid under pressure to said nozzles, and means whereby the actuation of said valve controls said delivery-controlling means. 6. In' a washing apparatus for vehicles, ahollow standard having a plurality of nozzles therein through which washing fluid can flow, means whereby said standard is swivelly mountedfor actuation to operating position adjacent the washing position of the vehicle and to non-operating position removed therefrom, means for supplying washing fluid under pressure to said standard, means whereby said fluid under pressure moves said standard in its mounting, said last named means including a valve and operating mechanism connected to said standard and controlled by said valve, a valve for controlling the delivery ofsaid fluid under pressure to said nozzles, and means whereby the actuation of saidv first valve controls said second valve.

7. In a washing apparatus for vehicles, a hollow. standard having a plurality of nozzles therein through which-washing fluid can flow, means whereby said standard is swivelly mounted for actuation to operating position adjacent the washing position of the vehicle and toenon-operating position removed therefrom, means for supplying washing fluid under pressure to said standard, means for controlling the delivery of said fluid under pressure to said nozzles, means whereby said fluid under pressure moves said standard in its mounting, means whereby said standard moving means controls said delivery controlling means, and means operated by said vehicle for controlling said standard moving means.

8. In a washing apparatus for vehicles, a hollow standard having a plurality of nozzles therein through which washing fluid can flow, means whereby said standard is swivelly mounted for actuation. to operating position adjacent the washing position'of the vehicle and to non-operating position removed therefrom, means for supplying washing fluid under pressure to said standard, means whereby said fluid under pressure moves said standard in its mounting, said last named means including a valve and operating mechanism connected to said standard and controlled by said valve, means for controlling the delivery of said fluid under pressure to said nozzles, means whereby the actuation of said valve controls said delivery-controlling means, and means operated by said vehicle for controlling said first valve.

9. In a washing apparatus for vehicles, a hollow standard having a plurality of nozzles therein through which washing fluid can flow, means whereby said standard is swivellymounted for actuation to operating and non-operating positions, said standard being so formed that when in operating position portions thereof from top to bottom are successively brought opposite respective portions of the vehicle from top to bottom thereof as the vehicle moves relative to the apparatus in the washing operation, means for supplying washing fluid under pressure to said standard, and means whereby the flow of said fluid under pressure to said standard moves said standard to one of said positions.

HARCOURT C. DRAKE. 

